Treasure Chest Thursday: Max Morris and Irene Ratner Marriage Certificate

Max Morris, son of Isidore and Sarah Meyers Morris, and Irene Ratner married in the Municipal Building in Manhattan on 15 September 1920.

New York County, New York, Certificate and Record of Marriage no. 34502 (15 September 1920), Max Morris and Irene Ratner, New York City Municipal Archives, New York.

[1st page]
CERTIFICATE AND RECORD OF MARRIAGE       No. 34502  
Groom: Max Morris 
Residence: 239 E. 105th St. 
Age: 23 
Color: White 
Single, Widowed or Divorced: Single 
Occupation: Glazier 
Birthplace: Russia 
Father's Name: Isidor 
Mother's Maiden Name: Sarah Meyers 
Number of Groom's Marriage: First
Bride: Irene Ratner 
Residence: 100 E. 111th St. 
Age: 21 
Color: White 
Single, Widowed or Divorced: Single 
Maiden Name, if a Widow: ----- 
Birthplace: Russia 
Father's Name: Israel 
Mother's Maiden Name: Rebecca Kahanofsky 
Number of Bride's Marriage: First

I hearby certify that the above-named groom and bride were joined in marriage by me, in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, at Municipal Building, [stamped] in the borough of Manhattan [stamped], City of New York, this SEP 15 1920 [stamped].  
Signature of person performing the ceremony:  
                              /s/ J.R. Dalton
                                  Official Station: DEPUTY CITY CLERK
                              52 HARRISON AVE.
                              RICHMOND     [stamped] 
Residence: ---------


Witness to the Marriage: /s/ T.C. Waterman
                                              /s/ Thos. J. Douglas 

[2nd page] 
WE hereby certify that we are the Groom and Bride named in this Certificate, and that the information given therein is correct, to the best of our knowledge and belief.
                              /s/Max Morris Groom
                              /s/Irene Ratner Bride    
Signed in the presence of  /s/ T.C. Waterman and

---------------------------

Irene was the eldest of four children of Israel and Rebecca Ratner. Israel ran a fruit and vegetable stand. Several census records indicate that Irene (earlier called Ida), may have been only 18 when she married. In the 1920 census, taken in January, she was 17.[1] In the 1915 New York State Census (of 1 June 1915), she was 12.[2] Why she reported an age of 20 is anyone's guess.

Notes:

1. 1920 U.S. census, New York County, New York, population schedule, Manhattan, Enumeration District 1279, sheet 9B & 10A, dwelling 14, family 234, Israel Ratner; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 November 2013), citing National Archives microfilm publication T625, roll 1219.

2. 1915 New York State census, New York County, New York, population schedule, Manhattan, Enumeration District 18, sheet 1, 1732 Madison Ave., lines 12-18, Israel Ratner; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 November 2013), citing New York State Archves, Albany.